I got my mom an appt at Walgreens for Monday. They wanted a prescription as of this Friday, but over the weekend since our governor’s executive order it is no longer required.
My kids weren’t able to get an appt, but now it’s also available to younger people.
the feds are not responsible for state laws requiring a scrip.
(sry, didnt mean to tag you)
We didn’t have an Rx in HI to get a covid shot—we just walked in and got our shots. We had made an appointment for later in the month but decided to get it 9/5, when the vaccine was 1st available at CVS.
Whoops—one of our friends overheard a patient being questioned when she was under 65 and asked what condition she had that qualified her to get a COVID shot, so I guess people ARE being asked about their health condition(s) if they are <65 year of age here.
I’m pretty sure you are aware that the state laws have been triggered by the FDA’s newly narrowed approval for the vaccine this year. So it’s disingenuous to say that the feds bear no responsibility.
disagree. The legislatures of the 16 states chose to be different than the other 34. It’s state laws that require a prescription for ‘off-label’ covid vax. They could change their rules/regs, as NY & MA have already done.
The Fed’s responsibility is to follow the FDA law – approved items must be shown to be both safe and effective.
I got my new covid shot at CVS today. I remarked to the pharmacist that I was happy to get it with no hassle. She said, “I don’t watch the news. I don’t know anything about that.”
My kids both have asthma so qualify to get the shot. I told S he should get it asap, since who knows what supply will be like, especially after 9/18 meeting. I will send D a text that she should be getting her shot soon too.
Are people getting the updated shot? Is that even available now?
If you mean the ones targeted against LP.8.1 from Pfizer and Moderna, those should be the ones available now (Novavax still targets JN.1).
If you mean Moderna’s mNEXSPIKE (versus Spikevax), it is not yet obvious how commonly available it is, although at least one poster has reported getting it.
I just got the current generation of Moderna, which came out in late August along with my flu shot. Our CVS had walk-ins and there was nobody there. Th e M next spike was available for people over 65.
UCB, any thoughts on the effectiveness of the 2025/26 versions of novavax vs Pfizer/Moderna ?
In terms of the targeted variants, Pfizer Comirnaty, Moderna Spikevax, and Moderna mNEXSPIKE target LP.8.1, while Novavax Nuvaxovid targets JN.1 (same as last year). Current variants are all descended from JN.1, although the LP.8.1 variant that was dominant a few months ago has been displaced by XFG, a recombination of LP.8.1.2 and LF.7.
Purely on the basis of target variant, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines likely have an edge on matching current variants, but different variants in the future may change that. Note that if your last infection or vaccination was during the XBB era or earlier (prior to 2024), you are likely more vulnerable than if your last infection or vaccination was 2024 or later when JN.1 and its descendants became dominant.
However, there are also differences in vaccine technology that could affect both effectiveness and the frequency of unwanted effects. Most unwanted effects seem to be less with Nuvaxovid, but the rare risk of myocarditis may be similar to or higher than with mRNA vaccines. Spikevax has a higher dose of mRNA than Comirnaty, which may affect both effectiveness and unwanted effects. mNEXSPIKE appears to be slightly more effective with slightly less unwanted effects than Spikevax.
thank you for the analysis
I got mine too at CVS over the weekend. Scheduling was easier than I anticipated. There was a line of people waiting and many mentioned that they were getting it in case more complexity arise in the future.
Is anyone in Massachusetts? I know that MA required CDC approval and not sure what the status is since the governor made an announcement about making the vaccine available.
“Kaiser Permanente commits to providing the 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine at no cost to children and adults.” However, it is not showing availability yet. It also does not guarantee choice of which one, although in past years, it has offered choice of any available vaccine except for limiting Novavax to those unable to get other vaccines for medical reasons.
This was in the other thread about politics of covid: “Apparently MA “became the first state” to guarantee that insurance companies will pay for COVID vaccines for everyone age 5+. Which is great. However, CVS and Walgreens have not updated their websites to do anything except the federal guidance. (People can walk in, and apparently there have been record numbers of people doing so.”
I got moderna’s mnexspike on 9/5, 1st available date at CVS by walking in. We had scheduled for later in September but decided not to wait due to all the craziness.
Thanks! The CDC meets next week I think. Our governor stepped up but federal policy could create problems.
Information overload – healthy middle-aged woman - do I want mNexspike?